It was the moment Top Gear fans had been waiting for – following years of speculation Jeremy Clarkson was about to reveal the identity of the show's elusive and fearless test driver, the Stig.

But after the white driving suit-clad figure took his seat on the programme's couch and removed his helmet he was jokingly revealed as Formula One ace Michael Schumacher.

Even after the unveiling host Jeremy, kept up the pretence, asking Michael: "What's your real name? It's just too amazing for words!"

Fans will have to keep guessing as to the true identity of Stig, who drives cars around the Top Gear track in Dunsfold Park, Surrey, and trains each week's guest for their lap for the 'Star In A Reasonably-Priced Car' feature.

In January it was reported that the BBC employs eight drivers to wear his racing whites. One of the names is believed to be Lewis Hamilton's racing partner Heikki Kovalainen, a 27-year-old Finnish Formula One McLaren driver